Going Back to Galilee

This week’s gospel Matthew 28:16-20 starts with the line ‘Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them’. What had started off with such worldly promise on Palm Sunday, when the diciples welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem, with waving palm branches and shouts of Hosanna, was now a quiet retreat back to Galilee.

They were walking back without their physical leader and one of their own who had betrayed and hanged himself. I imagine this must have been a solemn procession, a confused pilgrimage, having met the risen Christ. They were on their way back to Galilee, where it all started with political ambitions in their hearts.

Isn’t this our story at times? We started a career hoping to become the CEO or senior manager, a small business that would build and make us wealthy, a relationship that would grow into a prominent family, a ministry that would change the world. Then there came disappointment. We were laid off, the business met difficult circumstances, the relationship broke off, the ministry descended into disagreements.

Yet, in those moments of retreat and disappointment, we find a deeper purpose and a renewed calling. Just as the disciples found themselves back in Galilee, a place of beginnings, we too return to the roots of our dreams and aspirations. In this return, there's an opportunity for reflection and rediscovery.

For the disciples, Galilee became a place where the Great Commission was given, a new mission that transcended their initial worldly hopes. Similarly, our setbacks can pave the way for a more profound understanding of our life's work, steering us towards paths that align more closely with our true calling and purpose.

We learn that sometimes, the end of one journey is merely the beginning of another, filled with unexpected blessings and a greater sense of direction. Embracing these new beginnings requires faith and resilience. It calls us to trust in the unfolding of a plan that might not be immediately clear. Like the disciples, we must be open to the guidance we receive, even when it leads us back to familiar places with new perspectives.

Probably you find yourself in such a situation. If so, know that these moments of return and renewal are not just about starting over but about building upon our experiences, learning from our past, and moving forward with a refined vision. Each step we take is a testament to our growth, our ability to adapt, and our unwavering hope.

As we navigate these transitions, we become more attuned to the opportunities around us, finding purpose and fulfillment in ways we never imagined. Ultimately, it is through these unexpected journeys that we discover the true essence of our mission and the depth of our potential.